For critically and chronically ill people, food is medicine. Following a medically tailored diet helps patients adhere to medicine and treatments and maintain and build strength. These diets greatly improve the chances of recovery for many and keeps them them out of the hospital and in their homes. For more than 20 years, Community Servings of Boston has provided home-delivered medically tailored meals to critically and chronically ill people in Massachusetts. Last year, the organization delivered nearly 500,000 meals to more than 1,400 clients living in 18 communities – more than one third of whom are over the age of 65. Home delivery of medically appropriate meals could lead to significant savings for the health care system. A study in Florida showed a stark difference between hospital readmission rates among seniors receiving home-delivered meals and those who did not. Fewer than 8% of those who adhered to the meal service were readmitted to the hospital while 22% of those who did not use meal delivery were readmitted.
Source: National Foundation to End Senior Hunger, 8/4/14, Medical Meals
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